French actors Marc Jaquet and Gil Sauvectre will hold master-classes on commedia dell’arte for the university students who study acting in Kharkov, Nikolayev and Kiev. Their visit to Ukraine is a part of the project called “Theatrical Window to Europe” started 2 years ago by “Theatre na Zhukah”.

The producer of the “Theatre na Zhukah” Dmytro Ternovyi said: “From 18 to 30 March 2013 the French actors will hold master-classes at 6 theatre universities and colleges. I’m sure everyone who comes to their classes will gain unforgettable experience. We took part in their training ourselves a few times – it was not only informative but also very amusing”.

Students who come to the training will learn basics of commedia dell’arte studying characters and their relationships. They will also gain particular skills of working with masks.

“French actors has brought masks of all the commedia dell’arte characters. These masks were made by the guidance of Italian masters. It might be very interesting for young actors”, – said Ternovyi.

Participating at the international theatre festivals “Theatre na Zhukah” seeks to invite to Ukraine masters who impressed the troupe. All trainings are practical and designed for a big group of students.

Marc JACQUET and Gil SAUVESTRE represent the Regional Centre of Dramatic Art (CRAD) founded in 1940 in Clermont-Ferrand. It is supported by the city council. Marc Jacquet graduated Charles Dullin’s School of Dramatic Art. He also studied at the Jacques Lecoq School. Jacquet was taught by some of the French masters of commedia dell’arte. He also has solid experience of teaching the acting technique. Gil Sauvestre studied at the Jacques Lecoq School in Paris. He also attended many classes taught by the teachers from France, Italy, USA and Belgium. Both actors participated at the international theatre projects and festivals.

The art of commedia dell’arte will be taught to the students of Kharkiv State Kotlyarevsky University of Arts, Kharkiv State Academy of Culture, The National University of theatre, cinema and television of Karpenko-Kary, Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts, and Mykolaiv Arts and Culture College.

In 2011“Theatre na Zhukah” launched a long-term project called “Theatrical window to Europe” which main goal is to deepen knowledge about European culture tradition. Thus Ukrainian students get the opportunity to explore different theatre schools. In 2011 Poland theatre “Krzik” visited Ukraine which was a part of the project. In 2012 another Poland theatre “Brama” showed their performances in Kyiv and Kharkov. They also held master-classes based on Grotowski and Stanevski Systems.

Commedia dell’are or masked comedy is a form of folk (market-place) theater. The performances are improvisational, though based on a script containing a brief plot. Actors who play commedia dell’arte wear masks. Theatre originated in Italia in 16th century. Commedia dell’are became a well-known art form in France. West-European drama theatre was influenced by commedia dell’arte. Theatre troupes that played commedia dell’arte were the first professional groups of actors in Europe. They knew about basics on acting and directing plays. The most famous characters of commedia dell’arte are Pantalone, Arlecchino, Colombina, and Brighella.